“He is the pioneer in Saudi” – Troost-Ekong hails Ronaldo’s impact on Saudi Pro League

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has credited Cristiano Ronaldo with playing a pivotal role in elevating the profile of the Saudi Pro League, describing the Portuguese star as a “pioneer” whose presence has attracted global attention and inspired a wave of high-profile signings.

Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January 2023 after a controversial departure from Manchester United, becoming the world’s highest-paid athlete.

His arrival marked a turning point for the league, triggering an influx of global stars including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Sadio Mané, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Fabinho.

“He’s the kind of player you want to have in the league, because he draws attention and brings the best out of everyone,” Troost-Ekong said in an exclusive interview with Flashscore.com.

“He’s so respected and so competitive at the highest level.”

Troost-Ekong joined Saudi club Al-Kholood in August 2024 and recently completed his debut season in the Saudi top flight.

Reflecting on his experience, the 30-year-old defender praised the league’s growth and competitive atmosphere.

“Playing in Saudi Arabia is a different experience, and it’s nice being part of a project with big names and successful players,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed my first season with my team. We finished mid-table, and for our first year in the top flight, that’s something special.”

Troost-Ekong, who also serves as captain of Al-Kholood, expressed his commitment to adapting and contributing more in the coming season.

“As captain, I’ll continue to learn more about the football culture in Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Ronaldo’s arrival continues to shape the league’s transformation, with players like Troost-Ekong acknowledging his influence not just on the pitch, but on the broader ambitions of Saudi football.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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